Interislander crossings cancelled, cruise ship diverted, because of ...
Wellington.Scoop
Two Cook Strait interislander ferry crossings were cancelled today because of strong winds and high seas.
Interislander’s website says the Aratere’s 6.15am Picton to Wellington crossing and the 11am return crossing were both cancelled.
The swells were due to ease this afternoon, and passengers have been moved to later sailings.
The Post reports that on the 8.45am Kaitaki sailing out of Wellington, some passenger vehicles shifted as a result of the vessel rolling and sustained minor damage. A witness on the ferry said that there were sofas and people sliding around the main lounge due to the roughness of the sea. One passenger was injured.
Two Bluebridge crossings were also cancelled today.
And the Royal Princess cruise ship due in Wellington today was diverted last night, because of the high seas. Two more cruise ships are due tomorrow.
Wellington.Scoop – December 26
MetService has issued a strong wind watch for Friday on the Kapiti Coast and Wellington, as well as coastal areas of Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne/Tai Rāwhiti, Taranaki and western parts of Whanganui and the coastal Marlborough including the Sounds.
Interislander ferry passengers have been warned there may be delays to some services on Friday due to the stormy weather.
In a message to passengers, the company said the weather in Cook Strait is forecast to deteriorate between 6am on Friday and the early hours of Saturday.
A strong southerly change is set to whip up swells of more than three metres in Cook Strait, rising to more than 4 metres in the afternoon before starting to ease on Saturday.
In Taranaki and western parts of Whanganui, southerly winds may approach severe gales in exposed places, with a moderate chance of upgrading to a warning until 4pm on Friday.
A similar watch is in place for coastal areas of Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne/Tai Rāwhiti from around 8am on Friday, with a moderate chance of the strong wind watch being upgraded to a warning.
